How to Create an HTML Form in Google Sheets | updated 2023

Introduction:

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data, and by combining it with HTML forms, you can create interactive web forms that directly feed data into your Google Sheets. This integration can streamline data collection processes and enable seamless collaboration among multiple users. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating an HTML form that submits data directly to a Google Sheet.

Step 1: Setting up your Google Sheet

1. Open Google Sheets and create a new spreadsheet or use an existing one.

2. Add headers to define the columns that will hold the form data.

3. Make a note of the spreadsheet ID, which can be found in the URL between "/d/" and "/edit" (e.g., https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/edit).

Step 2: Creating the HTML Form

1. Open a text editor or HTML editor of your choice.

2. Begin by creating the HTML form structure using the `<form>` tag. Add appropriate attributes such as `method="post"` and `action="https://script.google.com/macros/s/SCRIPT_ID/exec"`. Replace "SCRIPT_ID" with the actual ID of the Google Apps Script (explained in the next step).

3. Inside the `<form>` tags, add the desired form fields using HTML input elements like `<input type="text">`, `<input type="email">`, `<textarea>`, etc. Include a submit button to allow users to submit the form.

Step 3: Creating a Google Apps Script

1. In Google Sheets, go to "Extensions" and select "Apps Script."

2. This will open the Google Apps Script editor. Delete the default code provided.

3. Paste the following code:

function doPost(e) {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.openById("SPREADSHEET_ID").getActiveSheet();
  var headers = sheet.getRange(1, 1, 1, sheet.getLastColumn()).getValues()[0];
  var newRow = headers.map(function(header) {
    return e.parameter[header] || '';
  });
  sheet.appendRow(newRow);
  return ContentService.createTextOutput("Success").setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.TEXT);
}

4. Replace "SPREADSHEET_ID" with the actual ID of your Google Sheet.

5. Save the script and give it a suitable name.

Step 4: Deploying the Google Apps Script

1. Click on the "Deploy" button in the Apps Script editor.

2. Select "New Deployment" and choose "Web app" as the type.

3. Set the "Execute the app as" option to your Google account.

4. Choose "Anyone, even anonymous" for the "Who has access to the app" option.

5. Click on "Deploy" to generate the deployment URL.

Step 5: Embedding the HTML Form

1. Copy the deployment URL from the previous step.

2. Go back to your HTML form and paste the URL into the `action` attribute of the `<form>` tag.

3. Save the HTML file.

Step 6: Testing the Form

1. Open the HTML file in a web browser.

2. Fill in the form fields and click the submit button.

3. Check your Google Sheet to ensure that the form data has been successfully submitted.

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you can create an HTML form that submits data directly to a Google Sheet. This integration provides a simple and efficient way to collect data, automate processes, and collaborate with others. Experiment with different form field types and design elements to create custom forms that suit your specific needs.

Additional Information:

Step 1: Setting up your Google Sheet

When setting up your Google Sheet, you can customize it further by adding additional sheets or organizing the data in a way that suits your needs. Consider using separate sheets for different form submissions or creating separate tabs for different data categories. This will help keep your data organized and make it easier to analyze later on.

Step 2: Creating the HTML Form

While creating the HTML form, you have the flexibility to customize it according to your requirements. You can add labels to each input field using the `<label>` tag to provide clear instructions or descriptions. Additionally, you can use CSS to style the form and make it visually appealing.

Step 3: Creating a Google Apps Script

Google Apps Script is a powerful scripting platform that allows you to extend the functionality of Google Workspace applications. In this step, we are using a simple script to capture the form data and append it to the Google Sheet. You can further enhance the script by adding data validation, data manipulation, or email notifications when a new form submission is received.

Step 4: Deploying the Google Apps Script

When deploying the Google Apps Script as a web app, you have the option to choose different settings based on your requirements. For example, you can restrict access to specific users or domains if you want to limit who can submit data through the form. Additionally, you can choose to update the deployment whenever you make changes to the script.

Step 5: Embedding the HTML Form

After obtaining the deployment URL, you can embed the HTML form into your website or share the form URL directly with users. This allows them to access the form and submit data seamlessly. You can also customize the form further by applying CSS styling to match your website's design.

Step 6: Testing the Form

Testing the form is a crucial step to ensure that the data is being submitted correctly. Fill in the form fields with sample data and submit the form. Check the Google Sheet to verify that the data is appearing in the correct columns and rows. If there are any issues, review the HTML code, Google Apps Script, and deployment settings to identify and fix any errors.

Conclusion:

Creating an HTML form that submits data directly to a Google Sheet offers a convenient way to collect and manage data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can seamlessly integrate form submissions into your Google Sheets workflow. Whether you need to gather survey responses, collect customer feedback, or track online registrations, this integration provides a flexible solution that simplifies data collection and analysis. Experiment with different form designs and functionalities to create a customized experience that suits your specific needs.

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